CA 19-9 and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) were determined in the sera of 28 control subjects, 29 patients with pancreatic cancer, 26 with chronic pancreatitis and 62 with benign and malignant extra pancreatic diseases in order to compare their usefulness in diagnosing pancreatic cancer, to verify whether the combined assessment of the two indices could improve the results given by a single parameter and to speculate on the role of liver dysfunction in increasing their serum levels. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CA 19-9 and TPA in diagnosing pancreatic malignancy were: 76, 85 and 61% for CA 19-9 and 79, 52 and 32% for TPA. The receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that CA 19-9 and TPA similarly discriminate pancreatic cancer from controls and chronic pancreatitis, while CA 19-9 is more useful than TPA in differentiating pancreatic malignancy from benign and malignant extra pancreatic abdominal diseases. TPA did not seem to add further information as compared to CA 19–9 alone when both markers were combined. Liver dysfunction may contribute to increasing serum levels of both markers.

Keywords:
CA 19-9, Tissue polypeptide antigen, Pancreatic cancer
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1988 S. Karger AG, Basel
1988
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.